Expert: Justin Choo - 2/1/2008

Question
I am a college student from Bronx, New York that is working on my final paper comparing and contrasting a religion not my own to Christianity. I decided to look at Buddhism more in-depth after learning about Buddhism in class. I found that I have some similar beliefs such as karma, yoga, and meditation and decided to I wanted to learn more of the Buddhist tradition and principles. Although I was raised as Christian, I have found that my perspective tends to be more faith and spiritually based then religious based in recent years. I was truly touched by why I read about Buddhism in class and chose Buddhism as part of my final project so that I can find out more information. With that said, I was wondering if you could answer any 5 of the following questions so I can get a more rounded viewpoint of Buddhism from different people's experiences and perspectives? Any input you can provide is greatly appreciated.

1.   Is Buddhism considered a religion, faith, philosophy, or more of a state of mind? Please explain your answer.
2.   Could you please explain what Buddhism is, in your own words?
3.   Can you please explain the difference between good karma and bad karma as it relates to the Wheel of Life and samsara?
4.   Is there a difference between yoga and meditation?
5.   What is your opinion on Modern Buddhism and the rejection of rituals, rebirth, realms of existence, etc? Do you believe that an ideal not supported by modern science should be rejected on the basis of “superstition”?
6.   It appears that many Westerns are embracing Buddhism for perhaps the wrong intentions. How do you feel about the commercialization of Buddha in American society today?
7.   Would you agree with the statement “Buddhism as a process of change initiated by the Buddha and continuing down to our modern day society, including both the traditional and modernistic schools of thought, each according to the needs of their practitioners”? Why or why not? Please share your thoughts.
8.   What are the challenges, if any, to practicing Buddhism today?
9.   How has Buddhism shaped your life?

Thank you for your consideration and time,
Toni

Answer
Hi Toni.

Thank you for asking me.

As I am not taking any exam instructions, I shall answer all your questions; some of which have been asked before.

 1. Is Buddhism considered a religion, faith, philosophy, or more of a state of mind? Please explain your answer.

It is a semantic exercise in futility.  Depending on the interpretations of the words "religion", "philosophy", and what have you, the conclusion is still debatable.  My personal view is that "religion" emphasizes on belief and obedience.  It usually subscribes to the belief in some supernatural powers or a supreme being controlling us.  "Philosophy" entails intellectual analyzes of human endeavours.  "Buddhism" is about the teachings of the Buddha.  The Buddha taught universal truths and inner peace.  His realization was not based on belief nor on intellectual analyzes.  His findings were the results of his mental cultivation throughout aeons of countless existences.  His mental cultivation culminated with his enlightenment embodied with a perfectly pure and powerful mind.  He attained the power of supramundane insight, which meant he was able to penetrate into the supramundane dimensions which no other humans could.  His knowledge was not through his intellectual ability nor through his external senses.  His discoveries of the truth of existence and the universe were through the supreme power of his mind.   From his discoveries which he shared with us, for lack of a better term (or would it be dictated by social norm?) that we mortals refer them as "religion" or "philosophy".  

The Buddha advised us to live a dignified and harmless life, so that we could enjoy a peaceful life.  We need to conduct our lives in a humane manner.  To me Buddhism is humanism.


2. Could you please explain what Buddhism is, in your own words?

Apart from the above, Buddhism is about not commiting evil, performing good deeds, and the purification of the mind.   


3. Can you please explain the difference between good karma and bad karma as it relates to the Wheel of Life and samsara?

In Buddhist context, karma means volitional actions, actions with intention.  This is a universal law of cause and effect.  In very simple language, good actions beget good results, and vise versa.


4. Is there a difference between yoga and meditation?

There are two aspects of yoga.  What is commonly understood by western society is the "exercise postures" (asana).  Its spiritual meaning is "union with god", a sort of meditation technique.  Meditation generally means the training of the mind.  
For yoga definition click here:   
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yoga

For meditation definition, click here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meditation



5. What is your opinion on Modern Buddhism and the rejection of rituals, rebirth, realms of existence, etc? Do you believe that an ideal not supported by modern science should be rejected on the basis of “superstition”?

Buddhism means the pristine teachings of the Buddha.  Anything other than this is not Buddhism.



6. It appears that many Westerners are embracing Buddhism for perhaps the wrong intentions. How do you feel about the commercialization of Buddha in American society today?

It is the nature of this world that things are such.  It was like that before; like this right now; and will be just the same in the future.


7. Would you agree with the statement “Buddhism as a process of change initiated by the Buddha and continuing down to our modern day society, including both the traditional and modernistic schools of thought, each according to the needs of their practitioners”? Why or why not? Please share your thoughts.

This is pure academic rhetoric.  Buddhism is about the serious practice to reduce greed, hatred and delusion.



8. What are the challenges, if any, to practicing Buddhism today?

Not only today; same everyday...reduce greed, hatred and delusion.



9. How has Buddhism shaped your life?
 
It helps me to understand the true nature of life and the universe.  It helps me to respect others' beliefs and to be more tolerant with those who do not agree with me.  It helps me to want to reduce negative traits such as greed and hatred.

Smile from justinchoo :-)